Wild Side by Motley Crue
Released in 1987 on the album Girls, Girls, Girls, Wild Side captures Motley Crue at the height of their glam-metal swagger. The track kicks off the album with a punchy, groove-laden riff and a swaggering vocal from Vince Neil. Written during the band's late-80s heyday, the song blends hard-edged guitar work with a bluesy bend in the chorus, and it became a staple of their live shows and MTV-era videos, epitomizing the raunchy, rebellious vibe of late-80s rock.
The track's ruthless, riff-driven groove and brash delivery cemented its place in hair-metal history, helping define the sonic template that fans expect from a high-energy Crue performance.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn the main riff built with power chords and palm-muted chugs, the verse/chorus chord progression, and the tricky transitions that drive the groove. We'll break down the riff phrase by phrase, cover timing and picking approach, and highlight the glammed-up phrasing and a quick bend in the chorus to capture the track's swagger.
Intermediate; helpful to have solid power chords, palm muting, accurate alternate picking, and comfortable bending.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Slow practice with a metronome to lock in the groove, then gradually speed up as your hands synchronize.
- 💡Learn the main riff in small chunks and isolate the muted-string hits to lock the rhythm.
- 💡Record yourself playing the chorus to ensure bend accuracy and consistent vibrato on the high string.
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